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This
visa is used to transfer someone who has a leading function
(as a Manager or Executive) in a company outside the
United States to an existing or newly to be established
United States subsidiary of that company.
The
L-1 visa is the only business visa leading directly
to permanent residency (the "Green Card").
The time required from the moment the first request
for a L-1 visa is made to receiving the "Green
Card" is approximately 2 ½ to 3 ½
years.
The
L-visa is used for intracompany transferees. Owners
and/or employees of smaller businesses may also apply
for this visa. However the transferring company must
continue to do business abroad during the entire period
of the alien's stay in the United States as an L-1 transferee.
L-visa applications are filed with the INS.
There
are two categories of L-visa:
L-1A
for managers and executives.
This visa may be issued for 1-3 years with a maximum
period of seven years.
L-1B for specialized knowledge employees.
This visa may be issued for 1-3 years with a maximum
period of five years.
L-visa criteria:
The
L-1 visa applicant must be employed at the company abroad
for at least one of the previous three years before
the visa application is filed with the INS.
The petitioning United States company must be affiliated
with the company abroad, as a branch, subsidiary, affiliate
or joint venture partner.
The transferring company must continue to do business
abroad.
The visa applicant must be employed at the company abroad
as a managerial, executive, or employee with a specialized
knowledge position
The employee must be coming to work at the United States
company as a manager/executive or specialized knowledge
employee.
Benefits
The
L-visa allows foreign nationals to legally live and
work in the United States
Travel in and out of the United States is allowed as
long as your L-visa and status are valid
Visas are also available for immediate family members
(i.e., spouse and children).
Spouses may work in the United States under special
permission from the INS.
The
United States Subsidiary :
- ·
Must be a legal person, most frequently an Incorporated
company ("Inc.").
- ·
Must belong at least 51% to the Parent Company. This
is indicated through the completion of one or more
share certificates. No registration of the shares
outside of the company is needed.
- ·
Must exist before the Beneficiary submits the visa
application.
- ·
Must be registered with the tax authorities (who grant
it an Employer Identification Number, "EIN").
- ·
Must have a bank account.
- ·
Must present a lease, rental contract or evidence
of ownership of office space.
- ·
Must show that it will be employing at least one full
time staff member, besides the Beneficiary, after
one year of operations
Become a Permanent Resident Based on Investment !
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us to discuss the possibilities to buy a business in
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